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No. 15: Duet (Risotto and Minestra)

Midi Symbol MIDI File [14KB, 1' 31"]


MINESTRA. I’d be a young girl if I could!
RISOTTO. You’re very good — you’re very good:
    But that unlikely I’m afraid is!
MINESTRA. I’d be as lovely as a rose!
RISOTTO.   So I suppose — so I suppose.
    And so, no doubt, would most old ladies!
MINESTRA. I’ll rouge my face, make up my eyes,
With cunning dyes — with cunning dyes —
    My venerable looks anointing.
  I’ll try my best your heart to thrill.
RISOTTO. I’m sure you will, my love, but still
    It is a little, little disappointing!

MINESTRA. RISOTTO.
  It is a little
  Just a little   Just
  a little,
  a little, little disappointing!   little, little disappointing!
  It is a little
  Just a
  Just   little,
  a little,
  a little, little disappointing!   a little, little disappointing!

RISOTTO.
You’re certain that you’re wide awake?
  There’s no mistake — there’s no mistake?
    Your rugged wrinkles you can’t thin off?
MINESTRA. I’ve scrubbed, and scrubbed, and scrubbed away
For half a day, for half a day,
    Until I’ve almost scrubbed the skin off!
  So gouty and rheumatic I,
That though I try, that though I try,
    I scarce can fasten my shoe buckles.
RISOTTO (looking at her fingers).
  My bride could write (so gouty she)
“No Popery! No Popery!”
    On the walls with all her knuckles!

MINESTRA. RISOTTO.
  It is a little
  Just a little   Just
  a little,
  a little, little disappointing!   little, little disappointing!
  It is a little
  Just a
  Just   little,
  a little,
  a little, little disappointing!   a little, little disappointing!

Exit RISOTTO, slowly and despondingly.


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